the monitors were relaying the is it thes' concerns to the philippine military, in charge of security in this region. >> some of the members are suggesting to-- the problem is bringing the military inside the community. it might cause other problems. so we have to study this some more. >> reporter: nonviolent peace force's annual budget of $7.5 million comees from the u.n. and the governments from several developed nations, though not the u.s., also from private donations. the group worked in sri lanka during its civil war and now also serves in south sedan and breakaway regions in georgia. monitors are paid about $1500 u.s. a month plus living expenses. in total, the group claims, their costs are about half those of a typical armed u.n. blue helmeted soldier. their challenges have been daunting. when this island became part of a newly independent philippines in 1946, muslims, were a majority here, and they resisted, demanding a separate state. over time, christian settlers moved in. they now outnumber muslims 3 to 1. ed it the leading insurgent group no longer seeks independence but